VII. The continental shelf

Definition of the continental shelf

The Commission shall make recommendations to coastal States on matters related to the establishment of the outer limits of their continental shelf.

Notification of the receipt of a submission and publication of the proposed outer limits of the continental shelf related to the submission

(a) Charts at an appropriate scale and coordinates indicating the outer limits of the continental shelf and the relevant territorial sea baselines

The course covered the legal, procedural and scientific aspects of the process of delineation of the outer limits of the continental shelf.

Last year, Australia lodged with the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf its submission on the outer limit of the shelf beyond 200 nautical miles from the territorial sea baseline.

The Proclamation was later confirmed and complemented by the adoption of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act by the Congress of the United States.

To the south lies the European continental shelf and the North Sea, to the east is the Eurasian continental shelf with the Barents Sea.

The continental shelf and the work of the Commission

At its end, the participants demonstrated a general understanding of the process and procedures involved in the delineation of the outer limits of the continental shelf.

Its continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles, which is currently under examination by the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, is estimated to be 953,525 square kilometres.

Article 2 of the Geneva Convention on the Continental Shelf states that the coastal State exercises over the continental shelf sovereign rights for the purpose of exploring it and exploiting its natural resources .

He recalled that the training manual was based on the Outline for a five day training course for delineation of the outer limits of the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles and for preparation of a submission of a coastal State to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS 24 and Corr.1) prepared by the Commission in 2000.

Information reported by the Chairman of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf.

We note the important work of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf.

(i) Mr. Peter F. Croker, Chairman of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf.

However, there are no fixed platforms operating in the Exclusive Economic Zone Continental shelf of Mauritius.

We note with satisfaction the progress made by the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf.

Protocol for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Fixed Platforms Located on the Continental Shelf

Coastal States are expected to act in good faith and exercise caution so that the work of the Commission and the establishment of the outer limits of the continental shelf of these States are not unreasonably prolonged or delayed.

7. The coastal State shall delineate the outer limits of its continental shelf, where that shelf extends beyond 200 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured, by straight lines not exceeding 60 nautical miles in length, connecting fixed points, defined by coordinates of latitude and longitude.

Modus operandi for the consideration of a submission made to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf

Kuwait is also party to the Protocol concerning Marine Pollution Resulting from Exploration and Exploitation of the Continental Shelf.

Noting the important role of the Commission in assisting States parties in the implementation of Part VI of the Convention, through the examination of information submitted by coastal States regarding the outer limits of the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles,

We also welcome in that context the efforts of the Division in publishing a training manual to assist States in developing the requisite knowledge and skills in preparing their submission in respect of the outer limits of the continental shelf.

(b) Desktop study or other means to make an assessment of the nature of the continental shelf and its limits

The Chairman of the Commission had invited representatives of GRID Arendal to make a presentation of its continental shelf facility.

Reference was made to the Truman Proclamation in one case considered by the Court, the North Sea Continental Shelf case.

We are pleased to note the progress in the work of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf.

We believe that States that have expertise in the delineation of the outer limits of the Continental Shelf should also extend such cooperation by providing assistance to developing States that require expertise to submit their claim under article 76 of the Convention.

(b) Desktop study or other means to make an initial assessment of the nature of the continental shelf and its limits

2. The continental shelf of a coastal State shall not extend beyond the limits provided for in paragraphs 4 to 6.

In its judgment in the North Sea Continental Shelf cases, the International Court of Justice also refers to the Truman Proclamation

Fiji is mindful of all its obligations under the Convention, in particular those relating to the limits of the continental shelf.

We furthermore encourage States to make additional contributions to the two voluntary continental shelf trust funds established by resolution 55 7.

Statement by the Chairman of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf on the progress of work in the Commission

In that regard, we would like to reiterate that India has the requisite expertise for assessment and mapping of the continental shelf.

The outer limits of the continental shelf of a State also define the Area (the seabed and ocean floor and subsoil thereof, beyond the limits of national jurisdiction), which is, together with its resources, the common heritage of mankind (article 136 of the Convention).

We also commend the initiative of the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea of convening a series of workshops in various regions to disseminate manuals and technical guidelines for delineation of the outer limits of the continental shelf of coastal States.

The Commission is currently considering three new submissions regarding the establishment of the outer limits of the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles, and a number of coastal States, including Iceland, have advised it of their intention to make submissions in the near future.

Despite its proximity to the African continent, Zuqar Island is considered a part of Asia because it sits on the Asian continental shelf.

8. Information on the limits of the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured shall be submitted by the coastal State to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf set up under Annex II on the basis of equitable geographical representation.

This year's draft resolution recognizes that the work of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf will become increasingly significant as more States initiate the process of establishing the boundaries of their continental shelves.

40. Requests the Secretary General, in cooperation with the Member States, to continue supporting and organizing workshops or symposiums on scientific and technical aspects of the establishment of the outer limits of the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles, taking into account the deadline for submission